Distance Education in Nursing - Assignment Example

? Distance Education in Nursing What started off as a form of apprenticeship promoted by various religious institutes, nursing and its education today has taken a new dimension altogether. Taking the status of an actual branch of medicine with its own affiliated degrees, the education prepares these individuals as nursing care professionals. While various universities today provide a variety of courses for interested individuals, a commonly emerging trend in this respect is seen in the form of distance learning, and is slowly becoming the new face of education for nurses all around the globe. Distance Education, the new mode of learning: The popularity of distance education has seen a stark upraise in recent times. In simplistic terms, it is the variation from the traditionally accepted formats of learning. It eliminates the requirement of a physical classroom for education where teachers and students occupy a defined setting. Rather it encompasses the barriers of times and geographical locations to provide education to those who seek to find knowledge. (J.Y.Pajarillo, 2012). Today, this has become the most preferred medium of education as it may be used by professionals to upgrade their academic qualifications as per the timings most suitable for them, access information from anywhere and at any time, with much less financial input required, and the only requirement is basic technological knowhow. The system itself has observed various improvements with time. While the material was initially sent via post, it is now sent by email and audio visual communication has bridged all the gap between this and the traditional methods of knowledge acquisition, with both combined student participation and classroom setting hybrid models encouraging greater degree of interaction amongst the students. Distance Education in nursing, the present and future: Distance education has become an increasingly acceptable option for nurses owing to a variety of reasons. While it is a convenient option for those who are based in a rural setting and wish to avoid inconvenience and costs of travelling to a university, many choose it for its vast flexibility, enabling them to manage their family, work and education effectively. (Novotny, 2000) Sometimes, after having completed their bachelors from an institute, the nurses are unable to find appropriate qualification enhancement in their rural settings and hence this mode of education is an appropriate solution. Some opt for it so they can maintain their operational licenses and certification and hereby stay up to date in their specialties, while many use it as a means to improve their skill sets. (Lethbridge, 1988). The blessings of this form of education are most prominent for those in a rural setting, (Deana Molinari, 2012) for many nurses practicing in rural areas are required to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills along with minimal assistance. (Billings D, 1986). Impacts: Owing to the increased popularity and preference of this mode of education, most of the universities have incorporated various courses in post-basic RN baccalaureate programs, many baccalaureate and some master’s programmes as well. This means that in the future, the prospects of maximum education by means of technology will open ways for many more students, who wish to acquire nursing education at a variety of levels. (Kristen S Montgomery, 2002) Is distance education the best possible option? Arguments and justifications: The need to spread awareness and education in today’s world is extremely high. While those in cities are blessed with more than one medium of education, it is rural education that poses a severe concern to many. Distance education comes as a blessing in disguise for these areas, where basic healthcare facilities themselves are missing and the stature of the nurse is almost comparable to that of the physician himself. These nurses require training, without a shift in their location. For city nurses, the issue is a different one. They are involved in their jobs for most part of the day and are not able to take out time to go and attend classes, hence, according to the feasibility of their timings, can gain access to education and involve themselves in alternate advanced courses by this mode of education. However, there are many who find the idea of distance learning as a vague one. It is believed that the same level of social interaction and nurse to nurse communication is not possible when a classroom environment is not provided, and hence remained in favour of traditional methods. Also, being a practical based field, not every problem can be solved without practical demonstration, and here, distance hinders. Research into the topic however, prove differently. Studies have gone to conclude that if a comparision is conducted between the brick and mortar type classroom with that of distance education, the academic achievement, socialization and mentoring opportunities are almost improved in the distance education system of learning. (Keck, 1992). A nurse in one part of the world may be able to guide another one regarding recent advancements in their region, without any competitive spirit hindering the flow of ideas. Social forums play a vital role in this respect. Time management is a key issue when it comes to such a flexible mode of education. One is required to keep track of their own pace and learning, or else they may lack behind in their courses. The self motivation of the nurses to improve their skills needs to be the guiding principle, or else they will not be able to gain an additional degree. The future is technology; we hear this statement very often in today’s times. The fast paced nature of life invokes everyone to acquire knowledge on the go. Our millennium’s breakthrough was the internet and it has led to change in every field. Same goes for the field of nursing education. The priority shift is from institutional education to accessible knowledge in whatever form possible. Programmes like Skype etc enable visual communication in addition to audio and written guides for students and open way for a whole new form of education that has already become popular amongst students and adults alike. Bibliography Billings D, M. A. (1986). Correspondence courses: An alternative instructional method. Nursing Education, 12-16. Deana Molinari, A. B. (2012). The Rural Nurse. Springer Publishing company. J.Y.Pajarillo, E. (2012). Distance education offers a wealth of formats and options. American Nurse Today, 1-3. Keck, J. (1992). Comparision of learning outcomes between graduate students in telecourses and those in traditional classrooms. Journal of Nursing Education, 229-234. Kristen S Montgomery, J. J. (2002). Essentials of internet use in nursing. New York. Lethbridge, D. (1988). A strategy for providing baccalaureate education for RNs in a rural setting. Jourinal of Nursing Education, 183-185. Novotny, J. (2000). Distance education in nursing. New York. Read More